Toyota YARIS VERSO D-4D RANGE
When It Comes To Family Motoring, Practicality And Economy Usually Hold Sway At The Top Of Buyers Wish Lists. Logically Then, The Practical
Toyota Yaris Verso With An Economical D-4D Engine Is Going To Be A Winner. Isnt It? Steve Walker Reports
Toyota are rather proud of their diesel engines and with good reason. The D-4D units that can regularly be found lurking beneath the bonnets of the manufacturers current models are up there with the industrys best. Putting one of these pieces of technological wizardry into the compact Yaris Verso MPV should, therefore, be a masterstroke. A versatile five-seater with levels of usable interior space that belie its size and a punchy, environmentally sound engine? Nuclear families everywhere will be auctioning off their household pets to raise the cash and buy one.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
| Depreciation |
|
| Economy |
 |
| Equipment |
|
| Handling |
 |
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
 |
| Value |
|
Well alright, the mad rush down to the nations
Toyota dealerships hasnt been quite that pronounced. But the Yaris Verso 1.4-litre D-4D has got a lot going for it. In extra-urban conditions, it will churn out 64.
2 miles of family motoring for every gallon of diesel that passes through the tank, while more realistically achievable figures of 56.5mpg and 47mpg are recorded for the combined and urban fuel consumption cycles respectively. A low CO2 output of 133g/km makes the Yaris Verso compliant with European emissions regulations and gives it a lowly placing in the VED tax banding scale. Speed isnt usually a determining factor in
mini or micro-MPV purchases but just so you know, this one will reach 62mph in 13.
8 seconds and begin to struggle well-before attaining its 99mph maximum velocity.
"At low revs, the 1.4-litre D-4D will deliver the sort of torque that youd expect from a 1.8 or 2.0-litre petrol motor"
The figures look good when compared to the competition but if this Yaris Verso D-4D is going to encounter a problem, it will come from within. The car is priced at £12,645 for standard T-Spirit trim. Thats compared to the £11,945 required to acquire the equivalent 1.3-litre VVT-i petrol version - a difference of some £700, if my calculator serves me well.
Although diesel sales are on the up, two thirds of British buyers still choose petrol cars and Toyotas 1.3-litre alternative to our D-4D model is an accomplished powerplant in its own right. It offers only slightly inferior economy along with more energetic performance. The big question concerns whether Yaris Verso buyers will be willing to pay the supplement for a diesel engine that will be only marginally cheaper to run, especially over a shorter ownership period spent covering the kind of urban mileage that this small car was designed for.
Lets not get too pernickety though: both Yaris Verso models have something different to offer and Toyota arent going to shed many tears if buyers are torn between the two power options. Its all money in the bank for them after all. At low revs, the 1.4-litre D-4D will deliver the sort of torque that youd expect from a 1.
8 or 2.0-litre petrol motor. It certainly feels far more muscular than you might expect and youll rarely feel the need to thrash the engine. The sporting potential of the Yaris Verso is tempered somewhat by the cars lofty centre of gravity.
Enter a corner too quickly and youll soon feel like backing off as the body rolls and pitches around. This occurs despite the thicker anti-roll bar that was introduced to the standard Yaris layout to shore-up this Verso versions handling. If youre looking for an exhilarating drive from the Yaris Verso though, Im afraid youve bought the wrong car. This is practical, family transportation a role it fills very well.
The Yaris Verso range has come in for a mild facelift of late. Toyota has resculptured the grille, given the headlights a distinctive teardrop shape and have redesigned the front and rear bumpers as well as the tail light cluster.The interior benefits from some additional safety equipment. The centre berth on the rear bench
seat is now fitted with a proper three-point seat belt but many will feel its prior omission somewhat surprising for a car that campaigned as a family favourite.
Side airbags have also been added for front seat occupants.The three-spoke steering wheel has been redesigned and is now finished in leather, whilst the D-4Ds T-Spirit trim level also gives you inbuilt stereo controls. For a vehicle based on one of the smaller superminis, the Yaris Verso really is remarkably spacious. Its not much longer than a
Ford Fiesta but its designers have somehow managed to incorporate more space than MPVs from the next class up like Renaults Scenic.
Bizarrely, this most mini of mini-MPVs even outdoes the mighty Mercedes E-Class in terms of luggage capacity work that one out if you can. The back bench of the car will seat three adults, but it will be a squash. The centre berth is only half the size of those flanking it, so youll have to negotiate your smallest passenger into the middle. With only two occupants in the rear, the Yaris Verso takes on a new air of roominess.
The centre seat folds neatly into an armrest or picnic tray, making the whole experience far more enjoyable. You can even remove it completely and clip it away on the side of the boot, allowing access to the remaining seats via the side-hinged rear door. Its hard to criticise the design and packaging of the Yaris Verso. Its a small car with big interior space that can be simply used in a number of different ways.
The D-4D technology under the hood gives good economy and reasonable low-end performance. When we come to deciding whether the Verso D-4D makes sense over its petrol-engined counterpart, things get a little murky. Ultimately it depends on what you want from the car. You will pay a premium but over longer ownership periods the D-4D will prove cost-effective.
At the end of the day, unfortunately, the choice is yours
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Toyota Yaris Verso D-4D
PRICES: £12,645 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 5 CO2 EMISSIONS BAND: 133
PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph 13.8s / Max Speed 99mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 47mpg / (extra urban) 64.2mpg /(combined) 56.5mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS, EBD WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE: (length/width/height) 3860/1690/1715mm
<< Back to Toyota car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Toyota Cars For Sale UK
